The National Interest Waiver (“NIW”) is a special provision within the EB-2 employment-based immigration category that allows individuals to bypass the usual labor certification process (“PERM”) required for most...more
America runs on semiconductors, also known informally as chips. Chips are integral to the cars we drive, the planes we fly, the systems that defend our country, and the computers that every single industry, from manufacturing...more
In light of prolonged Department of Labor (DOL) processing times and recent regulatory settlements involving the DOL and Department of Justice, employers are reevaluating their approaches to securing permanent residence...more
In the pursuit of U.S. permanent residency, employers often turn to the PERM labor certification process to sponsor employees. However, there exist alternative pathways to obtaining a green card, one of which is the National...more
Employers looking to retain current foreign national employees or attract highly skilled talent should consider adding the National Interest Waiver to their immigration sponsorship toolset. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,...more
The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State (DOS) announced in September that the agencies were expanding the list of Visa Waiver Program countries to include Israel, with a projected effective date of November...more
Join us for an exciting and informative webinar, "Key Immigration Takeaways for Health Care Professionals: H-1B, J-1, and Conrad/National Interest Waivers" This one-hour webinar is specifically designed for Human Resources...more
The U.S. immigration system poses significant hurdles for foreign nationals seeking employment within the United States. With few exceptions, employer sponsorship is generally required. For many, the sole avenue to obtain...more
The Department of State published the October 2023 Visa Bulletin Report on September 15, 2023 and announced that it will accept family and employment-based filings based on the Dates for Filing chart in October. As October is...more
1. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Launched Online Appointment Request Form - On August 21, USCIS launched a new online form for individuals to request in-person appointments at their local field offices....more
On June 1, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) officially transitioned its online PERM labor certification filings from its legacy PERM portal to the FLAG System. In addition to announcing the PERM system transition, the DOL...more
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed the submission requirements for the new Form 9089 Application for Permanent Employment Certification, specifically for Schedule A and National...more
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has issued updated guidance on the adjudication of National Interest Waivers (“NIW”) for petitioners holding advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering...more
The Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2022 (“PAIP”) became law on January 5, 2023, establishing a new enforcement procedure to deter the theft of trade secrets from the United States by foreign actors. PAIP...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated last year its policy guidance about a specific type of employment-based, immigrant visa petition known as a National Interest Waiver (NIW), clarifying and possibly...more
A recent settlement with the class action lawsuit Edakunni v. Mayorkas now requires U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) to review I-539 (status) and I-765 (work) applications for spouses and minor children of H-1B...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced several important changes this week: expansion of premium processing for several employment-based categories; resumption of concurrent processing of spousal...more
Beginning January 30, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers E-13 (EB-1C) multinational...more
On January 30, 2023, USCIS will begin accepting some additional premium processing requests pursuant to its expansion of this program. Under this latest expansion, announced by USCIS on January 12, 2023, certain...more
Beginning Jan. 30, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept I-907 Premium Processing requests for all new and pending EB-1 Multinational Executive and Manager I-140 petitions and EB-2 National Interest...more
On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced implementation of the final phase of premium processing expansion for employment-based first and second preference I-140 petitions. Beginning on...more
On January 12, 2023 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the implementation of the final phase of the premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2...more
On Thursday, January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it is implementing the final phase of its planned premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers,...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has further expanded premium processing eligibility to include more Form I-140, Immigrant Petitions for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications, consistent...more
On September 15, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had begun implementing the next phase of the premium processing expansion for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140 under...more